Sample code for 30+ languages & platforms
C++

Check if an FTP Listing Entry is a Symbolic Link

See more FTP Examples

Demonstrates the Chilkat Ftp2.GetIsSymbolicLink method, which returns whether a cached directory-listing entry is a symbolic link. The only argument is a zero-based index. This information is available only when the server's listing format reports it.

Background: Symbolic links matter because following one can lead outside the expected directory or into a cycle, so recursive operations often need to identify and skip them. Unlike the file/directory distinction, symlink information is not always present — only listing formats that mark links (typically Unix-style LIST output) expose it, and this returns false when the server does not.

Chilkat C++ Downloads

C++
#include <CkFtp2.h>

void ChilkatSample(void)
    {
    bool success = false;

    //  Demonstrates the Ftp2.GetIsSymbolicLink method, which returns whether a cached directory-listing
    //  entry is a symbolic link.  The only argument is a zero-based index.  This information is only
    //  available when the server's listing format reports it.

    CkFtp2 ftp;

    ftp.put_Hostname("ftp.example.com");
    ftp.put_Username("myFtpLogin");

    //  Normally you would not hard-code the password in source.  You should instead obtain it
    //  from an interactive prompt, environment variable, or a secrets vault.
    ftp.put_Password("myPassword");

    success = ftp.Connect();
    if (success == false) {
        std::cout << ftp.lastErrorText() << "\r\n";
        return;
    }

    success = ftp.ChangeRemoteDir("public_html");
    if (success == false) {
        std::cout << ftp.lastErrorText() << "\r\n";
        return;
    }

    //  GetDirCount retrieves the directory listing on the first call and returns the number of
    //  entries.  A negative return indicates failure.
    int n = ftp.GetDirCount();
    if (n < 0) {
        std::cout << ftp.lastErrorText() << "\r\n";
        return;
    }

    int i;
    for (i = 0; i <= n - 1; i++) {
        const char *name = ftp.getFilename(i);
        if (ftp.GetIsSymbolicLink(i)) {
            std::cout << "[LINK] " << name << "\r\n";
        }
        else {
            std::cout << "       " << name << "\r\n";
        }

    }

    success = ftp.Disconnect();
    if (success == false) {
        std::cout << ftp.lastErrorText() << "\r\n";
        return;
    }
    }